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Join us for a day of collaboration and knowledge sharing at the NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs) annual conference 2026
Join us for a day of collaboration and knowledge sharing at the NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs) annual conference 2026
A day hosted jointly by NIHR HDRCs Southampton, Portsmouth and Surrey, in partnership with the Research Support Service and Specialist Centre for Public Health, University of Southampton and Partners.
The conference will offer guests the opportunity to network, collaborate and attend various workshops.
We please ask that each HDRC spreads colleagues across the three workshops to maximise learning opportunities for all.
Workshop choices and preferences may change on the day of the conference to ensure HDRC colleagues are evenly spread.
Workshop 1
Workshop 1
A practical guide to ethics and governance in local authority settings
Facilitators:
Helen Buxton, Research Ethics and Governance Support Senior Manager, RSS and SC for Public Health, University of Southampton and Partners
Dr Simon Kolstoe, Associate Professor of Bioethics & University Ethics Advisor, University of Portsmouth
A practical guide to ethics and governance in local authority settings
Facilitators:
Helen Buxton, Research Ethics and Governance Support Senior Manager, RSS and SC for Public Health, University of Southampton and Partners
Dr Simon Kolstoe, Associate Professor of Bioethics & University Ethics Advisor, University of Portsmouth
Research is characterised by particular methodological and ethical approaches to evidence gathering and knowledge creation. Ethics and governance processes are therefore vital to ensure that data and conclusions are reliable, trustworthy and can be considered as research. This session will deliver a practical workshop targeted at people in HDRCs who want to undertake evidence gathering activities. The first half of the workshop will cover key background knowledge of research ethics and governance relevant to a local authority setting, and the second part will be a practical session looking at how an ethics review can support the generation of robust data and conclusions.
Knowledge mobilisation: what is it and why does it matter?
Facilitators
Dr Kate Lippiett, Principal Knowledge Mobilisation Fellow, NIHR ARC Wessex
Knowledge mobilisation: what is it and why does it matter?
Facilitators
Dr Kate Lippiett, Principal Knowledge Mobilisation Fellow, NIHR ARC Wessex
Ms Mirembe Woodrow, Senior Knowledge Mobilisation Fellow, NIHR ARC Wessex
How can we be sure we are making the best decisions at work? Research and evidence can often provide answers, but people tell us they can be hard to locate, difficult to understand or may not be quite relevant to the questions we need answers to now. How can we change that? Join us for an interactive session introducing key concepts and strategies in knowledge mobilisation as well as practical ways to bridge the gap between research and impact.
Strengthening engagement in research across local authorities
Facilitators:
Dr Bharathy Kumaravel, Associate Professor in Public Health at University of Leicester and Academic advisor for Leicestershire HDRC
Sarah Simon, Workforce Culture Change Officer, Southampton HDRC
Workshop aims:
- Enable peer learning and collaborative problem-solving
- Share case studies demonstrating strong uptake from council staff
- Produce practical, collective recommendations for national action
Join colleagues from across the country for an interactive national workshop focused on strengthening engagement between council staff and research teams through the HDRCs initiative.
This workshop will provide a collaborative space for HDRCs to share successful approaches, explore barriers and co‑create practical national recommendations to strengthen research capability across the system.
Workshop 2
Workshop 2
Demystifying funding applications: lessons learned and knowledge exchange
Facilitators:
Dr Negin Sarafraz-Shekary, Head of HDRC Surrey, Surrey County Council
Dr Anastasia Loukianov, Qualitative Research Lead (University of Surrey Embedded Academic), HDRC Surrey, Surrey County Council
Demystifying funding applications: lessons learned and knowledge exchange
Facilitators:
Dr Negin Sarafraz-Shekary, Head of HDRC Surrey, Surrey County Council
Dr Anastasia Loukianov, Qualitative Research Lead (University of Surrey Embedded Academic), HDRC Surrey, Surrey County Council
What does it really take to develop a strong funding application? This session explores lessons learned from recent bids, offering practical insights, common pitfalls to avoid, and strategies for identifying opportunities, strengthening bids, and building effective collaborations with research partners. Attendees will also be invited to contribute their own experiences and examples of best practice, creating a collaborative space for shared learning.
Learning objectives:
Learning objectives:
· Identify what makes a strong funding application, including key elements and common pitfalls to avoid
· Recognise and assess suitable funding opportunities and align proposals with funder priorities
· Strengthen bids through effective collaboration with research partners and other stakeholders
Bringing research to life: participatory methods for meaningful public involvement
Facilitators:
Ella Turner, Programme Manager, HDRC Surrey
Dr Sam Belfrage, Research Facilitation Lead, HDRC Portsmouth
Hayden Collins, Public Involvement and Community Engagement (PICE) Lead, HDRC Southampton
Bringing research to life: participatory methods for meaningful public involvement
Facilitators:
Ella Turner, Programme Manager, HDRC Surrey
Dr Sam Belfrage, Research Facilitation Lead, HDRC Portsmouth
Hayden Collins, Public Involvement and Community Engagement (PICE) Lead, HDRC Southampton
What does it look like when participatory methods are used to deepen engagement and centre lived experience in research? This session explores how these approaches can strengthen community collaboration, amplify lived experience, and improve the quality and impact of public involvement in research. Drawing on real examples of community‑led creative projects and capacity building models, this session highlights both the challenges and successes of using participatory research, and offers a reflective space for attendees to share experiences and draw inspiration for their own practice.
Learning objectives:
· Understand how participatory methods and training models can enhance public involvement and amplify lived experience
· Identify a range of creative approaches and when they are most effective
· Recognise common challenges and how to address them
· Learn from real examples of community‑led public involvement
· Reflect on and share ideas to strengthen your own creative practice
Working with heart: using appreciative inquiry to strengthen the culture of research and evaluation
Facilitators:
Helen Sharp and Joe McMartin - Ideas Alliance CIC
Working with heart: using appreciative inquiry to strengthen the culture of research and evaluation
Facilitators:
Helen Sharp and Joe McMartin - Ideas Alliance CIC
The way we ask questions shapes what we discover, and how we work together. This hands-on workshop introduces appreciative inquiry - a mindset and practice rooted in curiosity, inclusion, and a belief in human agency. Rather than starting with "what's not working?", appreciative inquiry explores what gives life to people and systems when they're at their best, and builds from there.
In this session, we will explore the core principles and design process of appreciative inquiry, and practise using it on real scenarios. Appreciative inquiry is learnt by doing — come ready to participate, connect, and have a go.
Learning objectives:
· Understand how to use appreciative inquiry and why the questions we ask shape the outcomes we get
· Practice crafting and using appreciative questions in research, evaluation, and community settings
· Leave with confidence and ideas for using appreciative inquiry to build more collaborative, energising cultures of inquiry
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